The latest numbers from Public Policy Polling suggest Sen. Cornhusker Kickback Ben Nelson is in as much trouble as you would expect: “Every poll released so far on the 2012 Nebraska Senate race has shown Ben Nelson in deep trouble and our numbers are no exception. Nelson trails Attorney General Jon Bruning 50-39 in a hypothetical contest and Treasurer Don Stenberg by a 45-41 margin.”

At this very early date, the Senate race in North Dakota looks promising for Republicans, as does Montana. Throw in Nebraska, and either Missouri (McCaskill) or Virginia (Webb) and Republicans would have 51 seats, presuming they lost none of their incumbents in 2012 (an open question, considering that Scott Brown is among those who will be facing the voters).